Designer Spotlight: Alexandra Von Gymnich-Scully of Rustic Rooster
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There’s a certain timeless magic that Alex brings to her client projects. She's consistent and true to her aesthetic, never distracted by trends.
When she takes on a project, she brings the same level of sincere, high-energy enthusiasm whether it is a 5,000 square foot estate or a 900 square foot beach cottage. She's not afraid to roll up her sleeves and jump in the mix, using what clients have already, and working with their own story and heirlooms to create a beautiful home flow.
She's raised two incredible kids, who are now college-aged and their once treasured Jenny Lind crib was even passed down to my own kids, who are now tweens.
We have some history working together for my own homes, rental properties and client recommendations. Her shop, Rustic Rooster, was a retail escape for me to head in, find a treasure and feel like I was bringing home a little piece of my childhood summers in Amagansett.
It all comes full circle as Alex now is a recommended interior designer for Summer House clients and is counted upon for remodels, vacation rental furnishing and styling, design refreshes and retail finds.
With the sweetest scoop,
Lauren Walsh
CMO + Chief Homekeeper of Summer House.
Here's the SCOOP from the Summer House Team about why love her design & some fun links to discover her style for yourself:
Meet Alex
Alexandra (Alex) Von Gymnich-Scully, interior designer and owner of Rustic Rooster, has mastered with effortless grace.
As both an interior designer and retail visionary, Alex has carved out a niche that blends heritage-rich tradition with relaxed coastal living. Her beloved Rustic Rooster (with a pop-up located within Kurtz Street Vintage Marketplace in San Diego, as well as online) has become a destination for those who want to bring warmth, texture, and a touch of classic coastal lifestyle into their homes.
Walking through her shop, you'll find: vintage tables paired with soft linens, rattan textures layered with antique accents, and blue & whites that bring in timeless tradition, styled with a fresh lens.
The Rustic Rooster Aesthetic
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Classic + coastal, in perfect balance: A design that brings a room together, layered with treasures with history, paired with clean coastal accents. Alex has encouraged clients to say "yes" to individual pieces they may otherwise have not selected on their own, and weave together a lived-in, welcoming space that feels elevated. For Summer House, we value spending money on pieces that were well-made from the start and have style you may pass down to your children. These are the kinds of items on an interior design inventory list worth every nod on of approval. (*The Rustic Rooster team find budget-friendly elegance, often much less than "fast furniture" seen far too often in mass production.)
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Timeless colors, paired with fresh whites: Dusky blues, muted neutrals, and soft patterns that feel serene and timeless.
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Textural warmth: Seagrass, Oriental rugs, Jute rugs, wicker chairs, and natural fibers that invite touch and comfort.
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Grounding woods: Antique-stained surfaces and walnut pieces that add heritage depth.
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Subtle coastal nods: Shell motifs, nautical hints, and timeless stripes - never kitsch, always considered.
This thoughtful mix is what makes Rustic Rooster a Summer House recommended designer. Every space she designs feels like she may have worked for Ralph Lauren for a bit in her life. She knows what works. What doesn't. What feels collected, not staged. And, most importantly, she creates spaces made for the way her clients live. White slipcovers ready to throw in the wash, comfortable seating with space for guests to pull up a chair, stir up a cocktail and cozy up by the outdoor fireplace.
Where to Find Rustic Rooster
📍 Kurtz Street Vintage Marketplace
3602 Kurtz St, San Diego, CA
(Mon–Sat 9 am–7 pm, Sun 10 am–6 pm)
Shop: rusticrooster.com
Meet her on Social: @rusticrooster
See her portfolio on Houzz.
And for those who love to browse in person, the Encinitas warehouse holds even more treasures — a true coastal design adventure. Extra scoop: Book your own private shopping experience with Alex and her team directly.
Bring the Look Home:
#1 Start with a neutral canvas of soft whites and muted blues.
#2 Add textural layers — woven baskets, linen throws, and vintage-inspired rugs
#3 Choose one statement vintage piece to ground the room. SHOP her finds here.
#4 Balance tradition with coastal ease: pair an antique dresser with a woven seagrass mirror, or a weathered table with breezy linen slipcovers. Her Coastal Alley Sale pops up in Encinitas, especially around the holidays.
#5 The best part: put your feet up, stir up a pitcher of margaritas & soak up the sun with friends. (See the Rustic Rooster blog for sea salt cookie recipes, bar set-ups, seasonal inspiration, et al.)
Why We Love Alex
Alex nails that Ralph Lauren/Hamptons esthetic with a true grace that brings out her client's family legacy and brings a sweetness to everyday life. It's ok to come into her homes before & after the beach, host impromptu parties and enjoy the sunlight of the morning shadows with a cup of coffee. It's liveable design that you do not have to, or want to, change decades later.